Pupils at a West Bromwich school are working with teachers in a bid to improve road safety by stopping motorists parking on zig-zag markings outside the school gates.

This follows concerns from the school’s headteacher Elaine Williams and local residents about the dangers to schoolchildren caused by motorists parking on zig-zag and double yellow lines outside Pennyhill Primary School. Sandwell Council’s road safety education team and the school have been working with parents, teachers and the children to highlight the irresponsible parking.

Local residents have expressed concern about dangerous parking and the obstructions across residents’ driveways, despite regular patrols from traffic enforcement officers and the council’s safety camera car.

The road safety team have delivered assemblies and children were asked to get creative and create banners which have been placed around the perimeter of the school to encourage and motivate adults to park responsibly. Headteacher Mrs Williams, said:

“The children have been working hard to try and share these important messages. When people park on the zig zags or the double yellow lines it makes it dangerous for children to cross the road.

“We have recently had a few near misses and we desperately want to keep our children safe,” she said. “We are hoping that this will help people to realise how important it is to park safely and considerately.”

Councillor David Hosell, cabinet member for highways and environment, added: “This is a very impressive effort by the school and the children on a matter which is very important for the safety of children arriving and departing from school.

“I would like to congratulate everyone who is involved in this campaign and hope that their efforts and those of our road safety team remedies a dangerous situation. This is a problem across the borough and parents and other motorists must be more responsible in the way they park near schools.”

Councillor Hosell said the road safety education team would keep campaigning on this issue and would work with the police to further educate and enforce when necessary to ensure that children and parents can move safely around the school area.